A group of Betel Nut (Beai) Growers fromthe Mekeo Region expressedtheir concerns atthe effectsthey will face whenthe Beai Ben commences in three days’ time.
The growers fromthe Eboa Village alongthe Hiritano Highway inthe Central Province are surrounded by buai plantations, with a strong dependency onthe salesthey generate fromthe buai business.
With three days tillthe Beai Ben commences, Ward Councilor for Eboa Village, Ward 5 ofthe Mekeo Kuni LLG, Charles Ikay, expresses his concern atthe lack of awareness presented tothem.
“There was no awareness on buai ban carrlied out inthe Mekeo districtoin terms of transporting betel nut inthe nation’s capital,” said Ikay.
Retire Elders withinthe village, with past public servant history, have also airedtheir concerns – particularly aboutthe effectsthe ban will have onthe Consumer PriceIndex, where Betel Nut is regarded as a commodity.
“Betel Nut is one ofthe commodities inthe Consumer PriceIndex basket…many people here in Mekeo depend on Betel Nut…why wouldthe Governor just ban buai in NCD without providing any awareness tothe people,” said Leo Epo, Elder- Eboa Village, Mekeo Kuni, Central Province.
Consideringthe new rules and restrictions placed uponthem, one female grower appealed tothe Governor of NCD for protection – not only withthe prices and selling process ofthe growers, but for their welfare and wellbeing atthese new market locations.
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